Other traditional techniques may be employed by the acupuncturist as conditions vary.
Some adjunctive techniques include:
Cupping – Glass suction cups are placed over the skin of various body parts to help relieve stiff muscles or to combat a cough or cold. Cups can help immensely to alleviate neck pain and back pain. Make sure you keep the area covered after your treatment. Ask for cupping if you’d like to try it – especially for sore muscles!
Electro-acupuncture – Tiny electrodes are attached to the acupuncture needles to help ease muscular pain, paralysis, neuropathy and atrophy.
Gwa Sha – Vigorously scraping the skin with a Japanese soup spoon to relieve neck and back tension, stiffness and pain. Make sure to keep the area covered after your treatment.
Tuina – Traditional Chinese massage may be employed to help relieve aches and pains. Acupuncture points and meridians are usually targeted.
Micro-blading – In some instances, it may be beneficial to take a few drops of blood from some of the acupuncture points. A disposable lancet is used to prick the skin and 5-10 drops of blood are allowed to exit the point. This allows the entire meridian to become unblocked.
Ion Pumping Cords – Used in some Japanese styles of acupuncture. These tiny cords are attached to the needles to create a polarity and allow your body’s own electricity to flow more freely.
Magnet Therapy – Tiny magnets are placed on different acupuncture points and secured with medical tape. These can be applied for the length of the treatment or you may be asked to leave them on for a few days.
Pressballs – These are tiny metal ball bearings attached to medical tape. They are placed at acupuncture points (usually in the ear) and left for a few days to extend the treatment. Pressballs can be gently pressed between your forefinger and thumb when feeling particularly symptomatic.
Moxibustion – A Chinese herb called Moxa (in English mugwort or common wormwood, in Latin Artemisia vulgaris) is burned around the effected area. It can also be rolled into a ball and placed on the end of the needle or burned on a slice or garlic, ginger or a mound of salt. The herb has powerful healing qualities and has been used for centuries. Moxa comes in various shapes and sizes. It‘s usually rolled into a wool-like substance or its resin is formed into sticks.